Building block or panel

ABSTRACT

A building block or panel having a shape of a parallelpiped including four edge faces ( 11, 13, 15  and  17 ) and two opposed major faces ( 19  and  21 ), the edge faces being formed to be interlockingly engageable with the edge faces on similar building blocks, each edge face including lateral zones which are located to one or the other side of the central longitudinal axis of the edge face, one zone of each edge face being formed with a recess ( 23 ) and the other zone of each edge face being of a complementary configuration to the one zone, the recesses on opposed edge faces being of corresponding configuration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to building blocks or panels

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to building blocks or panels which arecapable of being lockingly interengaged with each other whereby they arepositively retained in such engagement and do not necessarily requireutilisation of a bonding agent such as mortar or to retain them inengagement. Previous forms of building blocks which satisfy the abovecriteria are disclosed in Australian patent specificationsAU-B-33151/63, AU-B-78872/75 and AU-B-90575/82. The blocks which aredescribed in the above specifications have usually required utilisationof a specialised moulding machine in their formation and have requiredan accurate maintenance of tolerances. Because of the nature of theblocks a close tolerance was required in the formation of the blocks anda minor variation from the required tolerances could result in asignificant misalignment when a number of blocks were laid due to acompounding of the variation as each block was laid with the others. Inaddition, difficulties with the building blocks of the prior artreferred to above related to the circumstance that blocks do not readilylend themselves to being laid in a wall whereby the vertical junctionsbetween adjacent blocks in one course can be offset from the verticaljunction of adjacent courses.

The present invention is intended to provide a building block which doesnot rely upon the utilisation of a complex machine or apparatus to formthe block and in which tolerances in the formation of the block need notbe as precise as those as the tolerances which have been required inrespect of the building blocks disclosed in the above mentioned patentspecifications.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intendedto facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It shouldbe appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement oradmission that any of the material referred to was part of the commongeneral knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of theapplication.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect the invention resides in a building block orpanel having a shape of a parallelepiped comprising four edge faces andtwo opposed major faces, said edge faces being formed to beinterlockingly engagable with the edge faces of similar building blocks,each edge face comprising a first lateral zone located to one side ofthe central longitudinal axis of the respective edge face and a secondlateral zone located to the other side of the central longitudinal axisof the respective edge face, the first zone of each edge face beingformed with a recess and the second zone of each edge face being formedwith a projection of a complementary configuration to the recess of thefirst zone, the recesses on opposed edge faces being of correspondingconfiguration wherein, each recess has a base which is substantiallyparallel to the respective edge face and each recess has opposed endfaces which are of complementary profile, are substantially parallel toeach other and are inclined with respect to the edge face.

According to a further preferred feature of the invention the recess oneach edge face is located substantially centrally along the edge face.

According to a further preferred feature of the invention the recess hasa width substantially corresponding to the width of the first zone.

According to another aspect the invention resides in a building block orpanel having a shape of a parallelepiped comprising four edge faces andtwo opposed major faces, said edge faces being formed to beinterlockingly engagable with the edge faces of similar building blocks,each edge face comprising a first lateral zone located to one side ofthe central longitudinal axis of the respective edge face and a secondlateral zone located to the other side of the central longitudinal axisof the respective edge face, the first zone of each edge face beingformed with a recess and the second zone of each edge face being formedwith a projection of a complementary configuration to the recess of thefirst zone, the recesses on opposed edge faces being of correspondingconfiguration wherein, each recess has a base which is substantiallyparallel to the respective edge face, the open face of each recess whichis in opposed relationship to the base is located substantiallycentrally along the respective zone, each recess has opposed end faceswhich are of complementary profile, are substantially parallel to eachother and are inclined with respect to the edge face, the recess havinga width substantially corresponding to the width of the first zone.

According to one preferred feature of the invention, the configurationof one pair of edge faces are of corresponding configuration with theformation of each zone on one edge face being reversed in relation tothe formation in the corresponding zone of the opposed edge face.

According to a further preferred feature of the invention each opposedend face is substantially co-planar.

According to the further preferred feature of the end faces are inclinedwith respect to the edge face. According to one particular embodiment,one end face is inclined at an angle of 45° to the edge face and theother end face is inclined at an angle of 135° to the edge face.

The invention will be more fully understood in the light of thefollowing description of one specific embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of the embodiment is illustrated by reference to theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is an upper isometric view of a block according to the embodimentshowing one major face;

FIG. 2 is a lower isometric view of a block according to the embodimentshowing the other major face;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the block according to the embodimentshowing the one major face;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the block according to the embodimentshowing the other major face;

FIG. 5 is one end elevation of the block according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is the opposite end elevation to the view shown at FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration a set of blocks interengaged with each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

The embodiment as shown at the accompanying drawings relates to abuilding block which is capable of being interengaged with correspondingbuilding blocks in a manner which does not necessarily require theutilisation of a bonding agent to ensure that the building blocks remaininterengaged.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the building blocksgenerally have the form of a rectangular prism which have four edgefaces 11, 13, 15 and 17 and two opposed major faces 19 and 21. Each edgeface 11, 13, 15 and 17 is subdivided into two lateral zones X and Ywhich are located to either side of the central longitudinal axis ofeach face 11, 13, 15 and 17.

At each edge face 11, 13, 15 and 17 one zone X is formed with a recess23 which has the configuration of a parallelogram and comprises a base25 which is parallel to the outer edge face and two end faces 27 and 29which are parallel to each other and which are inclined to the edge facesuch that one end face 29 is inclined 45° to the edge face and the otherend face 27 is inclined at 135° to the edge face.

The other zone Y of each edge face 11, 13, 15 and 17 is of acomplementary configuration to the one zone X and as a result it isprovided with a projection 31 which is of complementary form to therecess 23 of the one zone X.

In addition, the opposed longer edge faces (the upper and lower edgefaces) 11 and 15 are of substantially corresponding configuration inthat the recesses are located at the one major face 19 and theprojections 31 are located at the other major face 21 with the exceptionthat the orientation of the recesses and the projections are reversed.In regard to the shorter edge faces (the end edge faces) 13 and 17 theyare of substantially corresponding configuration except that the recess23 of one end edge face 17 is adjacent one major face 19 while therecess of the other end edge face 13 is adjacent the other major face21. The recesses on each end edge face have the same orientation. As aresult the end edge faces 13 and 17 of a block are complementary to eachother.

As a result the configuration of the end edge faces 13 and 17 are suchthat when a pair of blocks A and B are brought together (as shown atFIG. 7) with the end edge faces 13 and 17 adjacent, the recesses 23 ofthe opposed end edge faces 13 and 17 will accommodate the projections 31of the opposed end edge faces. In addition, as a result of such thecombined upper and lower edge faces 13 and 17 of the interengaged blocksA and B define between themselves a projection 41 and a recess (notshown) in the region of the junction which is of complementary form tothe recess 23 and projection 31 of a third block C whereby the thirdblock C can be lowered into positive interengagement with the first andsecond block A and B as shown at FIG. 7 to overlie the junction with therecess 23 and the projection at lower face of the third being receivedin the combined recess and projection formed at the junction of thefirst and second block A and B.

To facilitate the interengagement between blocks and to provide somedegree of tolerance the longitudinal faces 33 of all of the projectionswhich provide the junction between the projections and recesses betweenadjacent zones X and Y of an edge face are inclined (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

The arrangement as described in relation to the embodiment and as shownin the drawings provides a building block which is capable of beinginterengaged with other building blocks whereby the vertical junctionbetween adjacent building blocks can be offset from the verticaljunction of adjacent building blocks of adjacent courses and whereby thebuilding blocks are interengaged to each side of each edge face whichserves to provide for stability of the combined blocks. In addition theinterengaged blocks are positively retained to at least some extent bythe interengagement of the protrusions of each block with the recessesof the adjacent blocks. Furthermore the blocks are aligned as a resultof the overlapping of the protrusions of the adjacent edge faces ofadjacent blocks. In addition it is envisaged that the blocks will beable to be formed by the use of moulds and will not require specialisedmachinery in their manufacture.

According to a further embodiment of the invention more than one recessand/or projection is provided along each zone of each edge

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, theword “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, willbe understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group ofintegers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group ofintegers.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention neednot be limited to the particular scope of the embodiments describedabove. In particular whilst the embodiments have been described as ablock the invention need not be so limited and may have application topanels.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. A building block orpanel having the shape of a parallelepiped comprising four edge facesand two opposed major faces, each edge face being formed to beinterlockingly engagable with an edge face of a similar building block,each edge face comprising a first lateral zone comprising a portion ofthe edge face located to one side of a central longitudinal axis of therespective edge face and a second lateral zone comprising a portion ofthe edge face located to the other side of the central longitudinal axisof the respective edge face, each zone of each edge face being formedwith a recess and a projection disposed on each edge face wherein eachrecess has a base which is substantially parallel to an upper face ofthe projection on the respective edge face and a junction between eachrecess and projection at each zone defined by an end face, the end facesat each edge face being substantially parallel to each other andinclined with respect to the respective base and upper face, the firstzone on each edge face being of complementary configuration to thesecond zone on the respective edge face.
 2. A building block or panel asclaimed at claim 1 wherein the configuration of a first pair of opposededge faces are of corresponding configuration in which the formation ofeach zone on one edge face is reversed in relation to the formation inthe corresponding zone of the opposed edge face.
 3. A building block orpanel as claimed at claim 1 wherein the configuration of the second pairof opposed edge faces are of complementary configuration.
 4. A buildingblock or panel as claimed at claim 1 wherein each opposed end face issubstantially co-planar.
 5. A building block or panel as claimed atclaim 4 wherein, one end face is inclined at an angle of 45° to the edgeface and the other end face is inclined at an angle of 135° to the edgeface.
 6. A block or panel as claimed at claim 4 wherein the recess has awidth substantially corresponding to the width of the first zone.
 7. Ablock or panel as claimed at claim 4 wherein a longitudinal face definedbetween the adjacent projection and recess of adjacent zones is inclinedfrom the central plane which intersects all of the edge faces and whichincludes the central longitudinal axis of each edge face.
 8. A block orpanel as claimed at claim 4 wherein the open face of each recess whichis opposed relation to the base is located substantially centrally alongthe respective edge face.
 9. A building block or panel as claimed inclaim 1 wherein, one end face is inclined at an angle of 45° to the edgeface and the other end face is inclined at an angle of 135° to the edgeface.
 10. A block or panel as claimed at claim 9 wherein the open faceof each recess which is opposed relation to the base is locatedsubstantially centrally along the respective edge face.
 11. A block orpanel as claimed at claim 9 wherein a longitudinal face defined betweenthe adjacent projection and recess of adjacent zones is inclined fromthe central plane which intersects all of the edge faces and whichincludes the central longitudinal axis of each edge face.
 12. A block orpanel as claimed at claim 9 wherein the recess has a width substantiallycorresponding to the width of the first zone.
 13. A block or panel asclaimed at claim 1 wherein the open face of each recess which is opposedrelation to the base is located substantially centrally along therespective edge face.
 14. A block or panel as claimed at claim 1 whereina longitudinal face defined between the adjacent projection and recessof adjacent zones is inclined from a central plane which intersects allof the edge faces and includes the central longitudinal axis of eachedge face.
 15. A block or panel as claimed at claim 14 wherein therecess has a width substantially corresponding to the width of the firstzone.
 16. A building block or panel as claimed at 2 wherein theconfiguration of the second pair of opposed edge faces are ofcomplementary configuration.
 17. A building block or panel as claimed atclaim 2 wherein each opposed end face is substantially co-planar.
 18. Ablock or panel as claimed at claim 2 wherein the recess has a widthsubstantially corresponding to the width of the first zone.
 19. Abuilding block or panel as claimed at claim 2 wherein, one end face isinclined at an angle of 45° to the edge face and the other end face isinclined at an angle of 135° to the edge face.
 20. A block or panel asclaimed at claim 2 wherein the open face of each recess which is opposedrelation to the base is located substantially centrally along therespective edge face.
 21. A block or panel as claimed at claim 2 whereina longitudinal face defined between the adjacent projection and recessof adjacent zones is inclined from the central plane which intersectsall of the edge faces and which includes the central longitudinal axisof each edge face.
 22. A block or panel as claimed at claim 3 wherein alongitudinal face defined between the adjacent projection and recess ofadjacent zones is inclined from the central plane which intersects allof the edge faces and which includes the central longitudinal axis ofeach edge face.
 23. A block or panel as claimed at claim 3 wherein therecess has a width substantially corresponding to the width of the firstzone.
 24. A building block or panel as claimed at claim 3 wherein eachopposed end face is substantially co-planar.
 25. A building block orpanel as claimed at claim 3 wherein, one end face is inclined at anangle of 45° to the edge face and the other end face is inclined at anangle of 135° to the edge face.
 26. A block or panel as claimed at claim3 wherein the open face of each recess which is opposed relation to thebase is located substantially centrally along the respective edge face.27. A block or panel as claimed at claim 1 wherein the recess has awidth substantially corresponding to the width of the first zone.
 28. Ablock or panel as claimed at claim 13 wherein a longitudinal facedefined between the adjacent projection and recess of adjacent zones isinclined from the central plane which intersects all of the edge facesand which includes the central longitudinal axis of each edge face. 29.A building block or panel having a shape of a parallelepiped comprisingfour edge faces and two opposed major faces, said edge faces beingformed to be interlockingly engagable with the edge faces of similarbuilding blocks, each edge face comprising a first lateral zone locatedto one side of a central longitudinal axis of the respective edge faceand a second lateral zone located to the other side of the centrallongitudinal axis of the respective edge face, the first zone of eachedge face being formed with a recess and the second zone of each edgeface being formed with a projection of a complementary configuration tothe recess of the first zone, the recesses on opposed edge faces beingof corresponding configuration wherein, each recess has a base which issubstantially parallel to the respective edge face, the open face ofeach recess which is in opposed relationship to the base is locatedsubstantially centrally along the respective zone, each recess hasopposed end faces which are of complementary profile, are substantiallyparallel to each other and are inclined with respect to the edge face,the recess having a width substantially corresponding to the width ofthe first zone.
 30. A building block or panel as claimed at claim 29wherein the configuration of a first pair of opposed edge faces are ofcorresponding configuration in which the formation of each zone on oneedge face is reversed in relation to the formation in the correspondingzone of the opposed edge face.
 31. A building block or panel as claimedat claim 29 wherein the configuration of the second pair of opposed edgefaces are of complementary configuration.
 32. A building block or panelas claimed at claim 29 wherein each opposed end face is substantiallyco-planar.
 33. A building block or panel as claimed at claim 29 wherein,one end face is inclined at an angle of 45° to the edge face and theother end face is inclined at an angle of 135° to the edge face.
 34. Ablock or panel as claimed at claim 29 wherein a longitudinal facedefined between the adjacent projection and recess of adjacent zones isinclined from the central plane which intersects all of the edge facesand includes the central longitudinal axis of each edge face.